Silverstone to offer full refunds if GP is cancelled

This week, as much of the world appeared to go into lock-down, officials announced the postponement and cancellation of several more races.

Currently it is hoped that the 2020 championship will finally get underway in Azerbaijan in early June, however, in all honesty, it is in the lap of the gods.

The British Grand Prix, scheduled for 19 July, is not currently in doubt, however, Silverstone MD, Stuart Pringle has confirmed that should the need arise to cancel the event full refunds would be given to ticket holders for both the F1 Grand Prix and MotoGP.

"This week, it has been announced by the sports’ governing bodies that all motorsport has been suspended in the UK to the end of April 2020 to support the British Government in its efforts to contain the spread of this virus," he said in a statement.

"Many of you have booked tickets for our events later this summer including the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix and MotoGP and I fully appreciate you want to understand if these events will take place.

"The truth is, like so many other international sporting events scheduled to take place around the world, we cannot predict what the situation will be by the time we get to the summer months. However, I can wholeheartedly promise you that everyone at Silverstone, Formula 1 and MotoGP are doing all they possibly can to ensure we can run these events on their planned dates in July and August.

"In fact, as Chase Carey has stated, Formula 1 and the FIA do not expect to begin the championship in Europe until after May although this is regularly being reviewed.

"I would like to reassure our fans that, should we be forced to cancel either Grand Prix, all customers who have purchased a ticket will be given the option of a full refund.

"We will, of course, continue to keep you updated as the situation in the UK evolves and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and patience in what is an extremely difficult time for everyone."

In a year the sport is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the first season of the Formula One World Championship, the first race of that season (1950) was the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.